Sergeant Reginald William Lane, 504846, Royal Air Force.
Reginald William Lane was born on the 9th September 1895 in Gloucester, the illegitimate son of Sarah Ann Lane, who was born in 1874. It is likely that Reginald was adopted because there is no listing for him with Sarah Ann in the 1901 or 1911 census returns.
Reginald Lane enlsited with the 1/7 Battalion of the Prince of Wales Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment as a Private 2793 and was later promoted to Lance Corporal. He entered the theatre of war in France on the 15th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne and was later awarded the 1915 Star.
The 1/7th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion was based at Carlton Barracks, Leeds and was part of West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division. They moved on the 10th August 1914 to Selby, end of the month to Strenshall and late October to York. In March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough and on the 15th April 1915 they landed at Boulogne and the formation became 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.
On the 1st November 1916, Lane was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as Private 50936. He was subsequently given a temporary commission on the 31st August 1917.
Reginald William Lane stayed in France after the war ended and was living in Boulogne-sur-mer at 89, Quai du Bassin and working there as an electrician. It was here that he met his future wife Isabelle Madeleine Corrue, born 11th August 1899, the daughter of Jean Joseph Constant Desire Corrue (deceased) and his widow Marie (nee Desrivieres), a coffee shop owner living in Boulogne-sur-mer. More than likely Reginald will have met Isabelle in the cafe that Isabelle's mother owned.
The couple were married on the 23rd December 1919 in Boulogne-sur-mer. Reginald produced a certificate from the British Consul in England stating that he was an English subject of the age of majority and that he could contract marriage without the consent of his mother.
Their son Marcel R. Lane was born in 1921 and, as there would appear to be no record of his birth here in the UK, we can only conclude that he was born in France. In 1947 Marcel married Lilian Mary Jowett and they moved to live in Dewsbury.
It is believed that Madeleine and Reginald lived at Highfield House on South Street. You may remember it better as South Ossett WMC.
Reginald William Lane died on the 21st October 1943 in the RAF hospital at St. Athan from coronary thrombosis (heart attack), aged 48 years and is buried at Llantwit Major Cemetery, Glamorgan, Wales, Section C, Grave 47.
Sergeant Lane was a member of 32 Maintenance Unit in Maintenance Command where he worked on the maintenance of aircraft used there for training.
He is described by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as a father and the husband of Isabelle Madeleine Lane of Ossett. Administration was granted at Wakefield on the 29th June 1944 to Isabelle Madeleine Lane, widow. Effects were £226 11s 5d.
Isabelle Madeleine Lane of 9, Paling Court, Towngate, Ossett died on the 15th February 1984 and probate was granted to unspecified persons at Leeds on 7th March 1984. Her effects did not exceed £40,000.
Above: The grave of Sergeant R.W. Lane at at Llantwit Major Cemetery, Glamorgan, Wales, Section C, Grave 47. The inscription reads IN LOVING MEMORY OF A HUSBAND AND FATHER FOR EVER DEAR TO US. "REST IN PEACE".
My thanks to Anne-Marie Fawcett for her work in correctly identifying the early life of Sergeant Reginald William Lane, who served his country in two world wars.
References:
1. Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site
2. Ancestry